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JOURNAL 

OF 

SOLOMON NASH 

A 

SOLDIER OF THE REVOLUTION. 
1776-1777. 

^oto ^irsi Printtb from tbt Otioinal gRnnnscripl. 
"WITH 

AN INTRODUCTION AND NOTES, 

BY - 

CHARLES L BUSimELL. 




NEW YORK; 
FRIVATKLY FRINXKD 

1861. 



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Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1860, by 

CHARLES I. BUSHNELL, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the 

Southern District of New Yorli. 



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ISTTPiODXJGTIOF. 




;HE original Journal, of which the following- 
is an exact copy, was purchased from a 
collector of Autographs, about two years 
ago. Being a daily record of passing 
events, noted at the time by one who participated in 
them, it is deemed worthy of publication, not so much 
from its own intrinsic value, as from the fact of its be- 
ing coteraporary with the period, and therefore, of use 
in corroborating other and more minute and extensive 
authorities. 

Of the Author of the Journal, we have been able to 
ascertain nothing, further than that he was a resident 
of Abington, Mass., where he had relatives. He was 



IV INTRODUCTION. 

no doubt descended from Ensign James Nash, of Wey- 
mouth, who was one of the earliest settlers of Abington, 
and who died on the 2ltli day of August, 1725. 

Deeming it altogether improper to alter the manu- 
script in any way, we accordingly present it as it ap- 
pears in the original, with all its errors of orthography, 
and misuse of capital letters. The Author was a plain 
man, of very limited education, and kept the record no 
doubt merely for his own amusement. That it would 
ever appear in print, probably never entered his mind. 
For these reasons, the reader will be charitable in his 
criticism, and make every allowance for the Journal 
and thf> errors it contains. 







A JOURNAL. 




EGINNING January the first, 1776— this Day 
Joined Cpt. Drury's* Oonipuay of artillery in 
Roxbuary. 

the 2 Day— Nothing Remarkable to Day. 

Ye 3 — this Day moved to Dorchester. 

Nothing Remarcable on these Days— ye 4, 5, 6, 7th. 

Monday ye 8— this Night a Party of our men went over towards 
Bunker hill and Burnt 10 or 12 houses— they found in one of 
them five ragulars, one of which was Killed, four taken Prisonars 
—the Enemy fired from Bunker hill for A Considerable time with 
cannon and musquets towards the Crosway Expeting Atact But 
none of our People was hurt. (1.) f 

Nothing Remarkable on these Days— ye 9th, 10th, Uth, 12th, 
13th, 14th, 15th, 16th. 

* Capt Jotham Drury. t See Appendix, Note 1. 



D JOUHNAU 

The ITtli this Night there wasahinu oceasioned By Expecting 
the ragiilers out. 

Nothing remarcable on these Days, January 18th, 19, 20,21st, 
22d. 

January ye 2;^ — this Night Eight men Derserted from the Ad- 
inarels Shij) (2) which was taken out of one of our Privateers 
some time Before.* 

AVednsday ye 24th — their Avas Alarm to Bay. 

Thirstlay ye 25th. Nothing Remarkable to Bay. 

Fryday ye 2(jtli — this Night four men Deserted from one of the 
Ships. 

Nothing Remarkable ou these Bays— 2Tth, 28th, 2yth, 30, 
31th. 

Nothing Remarkable on this Beginning of febuary — the first, 
2d, 3d, 4d, 5d, Gd, 7d, 8d and 9. 

febuary the 10th three men Bescrted from Boston. 

Nothing Remakable on these Bays — 11th, 12th, 13th. 

Febuary ye 14th this morning about 5 o'clock The Enemy 
Came Over to Borchester Point, one I'arty from the Castle and 

* The Adiuiiiirs shii) which liadhetn tiikfii hi/ one of our privatceisi some 
tune beioie. The shiii lefened to Wiis the English ordinance brig ^iimy. 



JOURNAL. 7 

A Nother from Boston and set fire to sevearel houses — We Was 
Alarmed But Before we got over there they where gone oflF — 
they tok six of our men That was on picket guard and one old 
man that lived on the Point. (3.) 

Nothing Eemarckable on these Days, 15th 16th 17th 18th 
19th 20th 21th 22th. 

febuary the 23d — this Night A party of our men tok three of 
the Kagulars Sentrys on Boston neck. (4,) 

Nothing remarckable on these Days — 24th 25th 26th. 

febuary ye 27th to Day there was an Alarm. 

Nothing Kemarkable on these Days— 28 and 29— so Ends this 
month. 

March ye first Day— Nothing Remarkable to Day. 

Saterday ye 2d this Night our People hov saveral Bombs from 
Cambridge and Roxbuary and fired severel cannon— they split 
two morter Peices at Cambridge and one at Roxbuary — the 
enimy threw several Bombs at our People at Leachemor Point to 
Night — the first of our People's throing Bombs. (5.) 

March ye 3 — this Night there was sum Bombs and Cannon 
fired on Both Sids. 

Monday ye 4 — this Night about 2.000 of our men whent to 



O JOURNAL. 

fortify on Dorchester Point and begun to fortify on the two high- 
est hills and begun several Redouts — We Car rid Six Twelve 
Pounders and Six or Eight Feild Peaces over there and about 
3 o'clock in the morning two Companys of the artillery went on. 
Our People kept cannonading of them at Roxbuary Cobble hill 
and Leachmore Point — the Regulars returned the fire briskly 
with bombs and Balls. A large Nomber of teams Employed in 
earring fasheans, (6) hay and timber to our People. 

March ye 5th Tusday. After the Enemy Discovered Our Men 
on the hills they fired 20 or 30 shot at them, but Did no Damage. 
We had one Leivetenant Ciled at Roxbuary Last Night and two 
men kiled at Cambridg one of which was kiled with a Bomb, 
the first that Ever we have had kiled with a Bomb since the Cam- 
paign begun. Our Company whent on the hill about four o'clock 
this morning — it was Exceding Bad storm this morning. (7.) 

Wednsday, March ye 6. No firing to Day. 

Thirsday ye 7. one of Capt. Pcirce's men hed one of his arms 
Shot of Accidently by a feild Peice as they where firing a small 
Tender. 

Transaction on March fryday ye 8. Came a Flag a truce (8) 

to Roxbuary Line and Brought News that the ]\[innesterial 

troops was a going to Leave the town and that the Inhabitents 

Desired the Gen.* (9) not to Destroy the Town—his answer was 

* Gen. Sir Wui. Howe. 



JOURNAL, 9 

that If his troops was Not MoHsted iu there Imbarkation it was 
Not his Intention to Destroy the town but if other ways the 
town would be Exjiosed To utter Destruction. 

Remarks on Saturday March ye 9th — this night a party of 
our men whent to Entrench on nuke hill But the Enemy fired so 
smartly on them that they where oblige to Give over Entrenching 
that Night we had four men killed at one shot on the point (10) 
our men cept fireing from Roxbuary, Coble hill and Leachemore 
Pointe there was upwards of a Thousand shot fired over to Dor- 
chester Hill from Boston. 

Sunday March ye 10 — the first part of this 24 ours several 
transports and tanders fell Down below the Castle the Admirel 
Ship Weight Anchor and got under wey She had not wind enough 
to git Down Canill. 

No grate Remarks on these Days 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 
Some firing on Both Sids these Days. 

Saturday March ye 16th this Night our men whent to fortify 
on nuke Point— the Enemy Discoverd them about 10 o'clock A. 
M. the ragulars kept a smart fireing till About 8 o'clock Sunday 
morning we had not one man killed and only one wounded. 

March ye 17th Sunday— this morning Betwene 8 and 9 o'clock 
there was a general Alarm in our Camps and the Enemy made 
grate hast to get on board the ships and about 10 o'clock the 
whole Fell Down below The Castle and about 2 o'clock we march- 



10 JOrRVAT,. 

cd ill and took pososion of the town the Enemy had Left— Grate 
many Good Cannon Left Spiked up and one morter Left. (11) 

Monday March ye 18th Clear and pleasant nothing Remark- 
able to Day. 

Tusday March ye 19th the Enemy Burnt the Lower block 
house which was on the Castle and in the Night they burnt some 
other houses the fleet still Laying Down by the Castle. 

Wednseday march ye 20th this night the Enemy burnt the 
Barracks and Blew up the wall at the Castle. 

Tusday march ye 21st This Day All the ships Excep one that 
Lay by the Castle Got under way and whent Down to Nantasket 
Road and there came to an Anchor and our people wheat and 
took possession of the Castle there where several Cannon Left 
And all Excep thre where spiked up Com. tupper* with a grate 
number of men in whale Boats have been Down the Channel two 
or three Days to watch the motion of the Enemy. 

Remarks on march ye 22d23d 24th 25th 26th and 27th Most 
of the ships Left Nantasket road And whent out to sea on these 
Days. 

March the 28th Thirsday we had orders to get in Readyness 
to march. 

* Commodore Samuel Tuokcr. 



JOURNAL. 1 1 

ft'yday march ye 29 th about 1 o'clock P. M. we shmg our 
packs and marched from Dorclicster To Roxbuary and there 
Dismist till the Next morning at sunrise. 

Saturday march ye 30th about 10 o'clock 4 Companys of ar- 
tillery with ten Brass feild Peaces set out from Roxbuary towards 
New York this Night we put up at Cherrys In Walpole. 

Sunday ye 31— this Day Very Bad Traveling— marched But 
10 mils—Put up at r anthem. 

monday april ye 1. Sout* In the morning and Dined at attle- 
borough and got to Providence. 

tusday ye 2— this morning Set out from Providence and got 
18 mile from thence. 

Wensday ye 3th this 24 ours rainey weather— marched thro 
Cante Borough into Plainfild 14 mils from where we came from 
in the morning. Now in Coneticut. 

thirsday ye 4th Sot out from Plainfild and got into Norwich 
one of our men taken sick with the small Pox. 

friday ye 5— marched from Norwich and got to New London. 

Saterday ye 6— We Lay to N. London— one takin Sick. 

Sunday ye 7.— first Part this 24 ours wet wether Still Lay at 
* Set out. 



12 



New Loudou— this Evuiug we Imbarkeil abord a Brig aud Lay 
all Night. 

monday april ye 8 — this morniug Calm to Sail with the wind 
N. E. ruu up the Sound with the fleet stod of and on this Night. 

tusday ye 9 — this day small winds and Calm — run up as far a3 
helgate (12) aud auchored. 

Wednsday ye 10 — this morning hove up and went thro the 
gate — Lay their till the afternoon and then run up to New York 
and all went a shore that Night. 

Thirsday ye ll~Employed in giting up the Cannon upon the 
Paraid. 

fryday ye 12— Nothing remarkable about this time. 

Saterday, april ye 13. 

Sonday ye 14. 

monday ye 15. 

Tusday ye IG. 

Wednsday ye 17— removed into the Barracks at the Battry. 

Thirsday ye 18. 

fryday ye 19. 

Saturday ye 20— this morning two Levitenants and about 30 
of us went over to Long Hand after a slop of kings that got a 
shore abov 25 mils from the fare ways got their this Night. 



JOUKNAT,, 



13 



Somlay ye 21— this morning got the slop about 2 o'clock — Sot 
out for home and travled 12 mils. 

monday ye 22— this Day got to N. York again. 

Tusday ye 23— 
Wednsday ye 24— 
thirsday ye 25. 
fryday ye 26. 
Saturday ye 27. 
Sunday ye 28— 
monday ye 29. 
tusday ye 30. 
Wednsday may ye 1 
thirsday ye 2— 
fryday ye 3. 



about this time iniployed in fixing 
our Cannon and Plasing them. 
Seveal Limbs and heads of men ware 
found at the Holey ground which was 
suposed to Be Ciled by the hoars 
the rifed men tore Down a hous 
No man i^ Suffer d to Be there 
after Nine o'clock at Night on 
these Days sent two Letters 
home. 



Saturday ye 4— one in our Rig't whipt 39 Lashes. 

Sunday ye 5~this Day Employd in Planting Canon. 

monday ye 6— this Day Employd in fixing the Congress at the 
grand Battree. 



Tusday ye 7— this Day wet weather. 

"Wednsday ye 8— thick misty weather— Employd to Day in 
Draging Cannon from the End of Chery Street fort Down to the 



14 JOTTRNAL. 

Crane and at G o'clock P. M. Loaded the Congress twice and sent 
two Shcls out of her to try her and she proved good. 

New-Tork, Thirsday may the 9th this Day 12 men out of our 
Company Imployd In Carring four two and thirty Pounders 
from the Crane oyer to Goveruers Island and Placed them In the 
fort Likwise four of us went over to Stratens Island after A skow 
But, when we got there She was Aground — So Ends this 24 
hours—Clear and Pleasent weather. 

Remarks on Fryday ye 10th Day of may— This morning at 1 
o'clock A. M. Brought the Skow from the morning Star ferry on 
Stratten Island over to york. This Day Employd in giting 
Cannon from york to read hook and Plaiccing them this Day 
Ends Pleasent weather. 

Remarks on Saturday may ye 11th Clear and Pleasent weather 
this 24 hours to Day Carred one Cannon and some shot over to 
read Hook. 

Sunday may ye 12th this morning Col'n. Knox* Reed. A Let- 
ter that Give an Account of A fleet that had Arrived In Nan- 
tasket Road Belonging to Brittain Some of us Employd in giting 
down Cannon from the Labartery to the grand Battry— Clear 
and Plcsent. 

Monday may ye 13— this morning Ninteen of the train went to 
montgomcry to tak Care of a fort that's their Ijikwise some men 
* Aflei\vaiJ.« Uuu. KudX. 



JOURNAL. 15 

Employd iu placing Cannon at the grand Battrey and Foiling up 
Shot— fetch'd one 32 Pounder from the fort and Plaiced it to the 
Eastward of the grand Battry in the afternoon— Employd in pil- 
ing up Shot to the Labatcry So Ends this 24 hours— Pleasent 
weather. 

Tusday may ye 14— the first part of this 24 hours a small shour 
of rain the rest Part Yerry plesent to Day— Carred Shot to 
governers Island— so Ends this 24 hours. 

wedensday may ye 15th this Day Pleasent— Some of us Em- 
ployd in making Carteregs* and some Employd iu giting Cannon 
Down to the North river to Prove them. 

Thirsday may ye 16— this Day Yerry Pleasent- Some of us 
employd im making Cartridges iu the fore part of the Day and iu 
the afternoon Employd in firing our Cannon with Double Charges 
in them to Prove them, and they all proved good But two one 
of them Split at the muzel and other at the grand Battree Burst 
all in peaces— one peace went 30 or 40 rod and fell upon a house 
which went through the roof and all the flors to the Loest one 
which hurt the house verry much But hirt no Body to Day one 
man was Drowned and Whitmarsh in Capt. Reeds Company 
Died, 

Fryday may ye 17— this day Cept as a fast throughout the 
Continent— Some of us Employd iu Loding and giting powder 
* Cartridges. 



16 



into the maggazeins~so Ends tliis 24 hours— Clear and pleas- 
ent. 

Saturday may ye 18— This Day verry wet weather— some Em- 
ploy d in making Carter iges— So Ends 24 hours. 

Sunday may ye 19th this Day verry pleasent— Some of us Em- 
ployd in making Cartredgs and fixing Cannon So Ends 24 hours. 

monday may ye 20th to Day Olouday— Later Part verry rain- 
ny— Nothing Remarkable— Employed in giting Cannon on the 
platform and making Cartregs — Josiah Bradford got a New 
Pair of Breatches. 

Tusday may ye 2 1st first Part rainny— Latter part Pleasent— 
some employd in giting Cannon to Bunker hill (13) in New York 
and some Emjiloyd in making Cartridgs So Ends this 24 hours. 

Wednesday may ye 22 this Day plasent weather— Employd in 
making Cartredgs— we make about 1500 weight of powder into 
cannon Cartredges and small arms Every Day 

Thirsday may ye 23— this Day plesent Some of us Employd in 
making Cartredgs. 

Fryday may ye 24— to Day Pleasent— all the artillarry men 
Employd in making Cartredgs— one of the art'ry men wounded 
Very Bad By one of the rifel men with a hatchet. 

Saturday may ye 25— this Day plo^isent None of us upon fe- 



JOURNAL. IT 

tague a order for all our rigerment to git our Cloths Clean and fix 
to pass muster to morrow— So Ends this Day. 

Sunday may ye 26— this Day plasent— Ten Companys of our 
Eigerment marched upon the grand Parade to pass muster in the 
first part of the Day— the after part went to meating and then 
went and took our Larrim post. 

monday may ye 27th first part of this 24 hours rainny Some 
of us Emjiloyd in making Cartredgs and some in fixing the Can- 
non and feild peaces upon the grand Parade— So End this Day- 
Later part plasent. 

Tusday may ye 28th this Day plesent— Nothing remarkable 
— Emj)loyd in making Cartredgs. 

Wednsday may ye 29th this Day pleasent all the train goes to 
Larrim Post and Employd in making Cartredgs. 

Thirsday, may ye 30th this Day Pleasant — Employd in making 
Cartredges — So Ends this 24 houi-s. 

Fryday may ye 31th this Day pleasent—Biger part of our Rig- 
erment Employd in making Cartredgs — So Ends this month — 
all well in our Company. 

Saturday June ye 1— this Day windey But pleasent— Some of 
our men Employd in Boring G pr. feild peaces Some in making 
Cartredgs. 



18 JOURNAL. 

Sunday June ye 2d this Day first part misty —Later ^lart pleas t 
— first part Employd in making Cartredgs— after noon all of U9 
marched to meating— So Ends this 24 hours. 

monday June ye 3d 1776— this Day Terry rainny— Some Em- 
ployd in making Cartredgs— So Ends this 24 hours. 

Tusday June ye 4th this Day pleasent Emjjloyd in making 
Cartredgs this Night 4 of us went to Sippe Can (14) we had 
a tuff spell But None Cilled— so Ends this Day. 

Wednsday June ye 5— this Day pleasent— Employd in the 
Laberterry as useal a Sloop and a schoner from Hispaneole which 
ware firenchmen had on Board Suger, molases and cotten woll (15) 
Recived a Letter from home and all. 

Thirsday June ye Gth 1776— this Day pleasent— Employd a3 
befor— So Ends this 24 hours. Some Not well. 

Fryday June ye 7th this first part Wet Weather Later part 
pleasent— Employed as Befor. 

Saturday June the 8th this Day pleasent— first part of the Day 
Employd as Before and all at Lasure in the afternoon. 

Sunday June ye 9th this Day plasent weather— all our Regt. 
went to meting all Day— So Ends this 24 hours. Sent a Letter 
home. 



JOURNAL, 19 

tnonday June ye 10th This Day pleaseut about Eight o'clock 
our Capt. Leivt. and about 60 men in four flat Bottom Boats Sot 
out to Kings Bridg for 12 6 pr. and got their and got them on 
Board the Boats about Sunset~we staid here all night. 

Tusday June ye 11th Clear and pleasent this morning about 
5 o'clock we sot out for York and get here about 9 o'clock in 
The morning and took out some shot we Brought and carrid four 
Cannon over to the Jcrsays the other four to read hook—Some 
Employd in the Larbeterry. 

Wednesday June ye 12— this Day pleasent— Employed at the 
Larberterry- So Ends this 24 hours. 

Thirsday June ye 13— this Day pleasent — Some Employed in 
the Labetery.* So Eds this 2-4 hours. 

Fryday June ye 14— this Day pleasent— Employd as Before. 
So Ends this 24 hours. 

Saturday June ye 15th this Day pleasent — some Employd as 
Before — orders for Levt. with 20 privat to go to fort gorge — Lik- 
wise for 450 men to Be Draughted out of the Battalian to Come 
into our Companys — to Day our Company moved from the grand 
Battry to the uper Barraks. 

Sunday June ye 16 — this Day pleasent — the men that was 

Draught'd out of the Battalian Joined our Rigerment. So Ends 

this 24 hours. 

t Laboratory. 



20 JOURNAL. 

Mouday June ye 17th Clear weather all this 24 hours — at 10 
o'clock Capt. Drury and Lieut, freman with 30 of us Embarcked 
on Board the jihiladelphia Stage Boat in order to go to Aiuboy 
Ps. took two feild Peaces with us. 



Tusday June ye 18th first part of this 24 hours small shours of 
rain and Cool this morning at 4 o'clock we arived to amboy and 
Landed at_3 o'ClockP. M. 160 Battalian men arived here from 
New-York in 4 flat Botem Boats — we all inCampt here this 
Nisrht. So Ends this 24 hours. 



Amboy Wednesday June ye 19th about 11 o'Clock A. M. we set 
out in a flat Botem Boat with the Battalian in four more. 
Ditto attended with Comidore Tupper with whale Boats and 18 
of his men — we toucht at Middleton Point at sun-set we Em- 
barked and set out towards the Light hous.* 



Thirsday June yc 20th Clear and pleasent this morning at 2 
o'clock Landed at Sparmecity Cove within 4 mils from the Light 
house we got our feild peaces ashore and Lay there all Day about 
9 o'clock P. M. set out towards the Light and marched Sloly un- 
Descovcred to the Enemy. We are al well Att Present and in 
high Spirits. 



Fryday June ye 21d Clear and warm this morning — at Day 
T.,ight Cot within 20 rods of the Light hous and formed us at the 

* House. 



JOURNAL. 21 

Piloli of a hill — Comi(l<ii-e Tiippor marched towards the Enemy 
and ordered them to snreudcr which they refused and fired on 
him — Comadoretujjper Eetreated back To onr Field Pieces and 
ordered them to fire which we did one and twenty rounds at the 
Light house they continued fireing with muskets on Both Sids 
the Light hous Being so strong that we could make no impresian 
upon it — they fired upon us from the men of ware But they did 
not hirt But Two ware slitly wounded after a Ingagement ^ of 
an hour we retreted to our Boats again and about 4 o'clock P. 
M. we set out for Amboy and about 10 o'clock we arived at 
Amboy. 



Saturday June ye 22 — pleasent— we set out for New York 
about 10 o'clock and at 6 o'clock P. M. we arived at New York 
after a tiresome Jorney— we Landed our feild peaces at the grand 
Battree so Ends this 24 hours Clear and pleasent— Yesterday 
severcl Tories was taken up and confined that was contriveing a 
Plot to Kill generel Warshington.* (]Q) 

New York Sunday June ye 23d— this Day Clear and Pleasent 
—Some men went to Kings Bridg and got Back again with some 
Cannon. 



Monday June ye 24th Clear and Pleasent— Some Employd in 
making Cartreds^s. 



Tusday June ye 25th this Day Clear and pleasrnt— Some Em- 
ployd in making Cartregs --So Ends this 24 hours. 



* Washington. 



22 jornNAL. 

AYednesday ye 2C' of June— this Day pleascnt— Some Employd 
iu the Labeterry. 



Thirsday Juue ye 27tb this Day Clear and pleasent — Coull. 
Masin, two Lcivts. and 15 metrows* (IT) Employd in iixingto 
make fire rafts — Som Employd in the Labeterry. 



Fryday June ye 28 — this Day Clear and pleasent—Cleard fromc 
work at 11 o'clock— all the army Except those upon Duty paraded 
out at Geurl. Starling Brigade to see a man bung which Belong 
to Genl. Warshingtou's Life Guarde for turning a Torie (18) 
so Ends 24 hours. 



Saturday June ye 29th this Day pleasent vcrry warm in this 
after part of the Day some Employd as Before— so End this 24 
hours. 



Sunday June ye 30th to Day Verry warm— Last Night there 
was taken a Boat and 26 man of wars men— we here there is 120 
sail of ships got in at Sandy hook — one of our men this Day is 
gon priveterin. 

Monday July ye Id this Day Verry warm— Employd as Befor 
—this nio'ht orders to Be iu radincss— So P^nds this 24 hours. 



Tusday July ye 2d first part misty and rany— their was about 

50 or fiO sail of the fleet at Sandy hook got under way and Came 

tJH-ough the narrows and anchored of against Stratin Island— we 

ware all in prcjiaration for a Battle Expecting them here to town 

* Matrosses. 



JOURNAT,. 23 

Wednsday July ye 3d the first part Smart Showers of rain— 
the Ships Drawd themselves in a Line Close by Stratcn Island — 
some of the troops went ashore on Straten Island. 



Thirsday July ye 4— Last Night Capt. Danoy's Companey went 
towards Elizebath town with 2 12 pounders to Ingage a tender 
and fired on her Verry Briskly and hirt her so much that they 
ware oblige to run on shore at Straten Island— our people took 
posesion of hur— one of Capt. Drury's Sargent was Cilled— By an 
Exedent*— ther was a Capt. of a ship taken By one of our Boats 
— So Ends this 24 hours— Clear and pleasent. 



Fryday July ye 5. Clear and pleasent— there was a sentry 
shot — he Blead to Death — it was suposed to Be Dun By a torey 
out of a window But they Could not find him— one man was Cild 
with a Britch of a gun. 



Saturday July ye Gth Clear and pleasent— Som fireing— the 
ministerials troops pitcht their tents on Straten* Island— So End 
this 24 hours. 



Sunday July ye 7 th Clear and pleasent— a prisoner in goal 
this Day Insuled the goal and several others — A file of men was 
orderd to Quell the mob in goal— they was oblige to Cill* said 
prisoners — There was several men run away from the men of ware 
but no grate Enteligence from there. 

» Accident. f Staten. J Kill. 



24 .TOUUNAI^ 

Monday July ye 8. Clear and ploapent— our men Employd to 
work in the Labeterry. 



Tusday July ye 9tli pleasent Employd as Befor — at C o'clock 
all ye Rigerment was ordered to parade and have the Dcclarra- 
tion of Independence Read and three Chears given after Read. (19) 



Wednesday July ye 10th Clear. Last night King George's 
Image that was Erectted here was over set and to Day Out in to 
peaces. (20) 

Thirsday July ye 11 — Clear and warm — Nothing Remarkable 
— tou men run away from the Ships — their was five ships Came 
into the fleet at Straten Island. 



Fryday July ye 12th this Day Clear acd pleasent— this after- 
noon 2 men of ware and 3 Boom sail vesclls Came from Straten 
Island and run up the north river — our people fired smartly upon 
them and shot them threw sevrel times — we had six men cilled, 
three wound^ By our Cannons which went off Exedently — they 
fired at the Citty, But did not imich Damage (2/) So Ends this 
24 hours. 



Saturday July ye 13th this Day pleasent — Nothing Remarka- 
ble — Employd at the LaT)eterry — So Ends this 24 hours. 



Sunday July ye 14th wet and showcrry — we Took two Barges 
— So Ends this 24 hours. 



JOURNAL, 25 

Monday July ye 15th this Day pleaseat — Nothing remarkable 
--So Ends this 24 hours. 



Tusday July ye 16th~this Day pleasent— Employd in the 
Labetery — I received two Letters from home—So End this 24 
hours. 



Wedensday July ye 17th this Day warm— a flag of truce came 
from the shiping to our Lines—So Ends this 24 hours. 



Thirsday July ye 18th this Day warm— Nothing Remarkable 
—So Ends this 24 hours. 



Fryday July ye 19th this Day pleasent— Nothing Eemarkable 
-so End this 24 hours. 



Saturday July ye 20th this Day pleasent— about 11 o'Clock 
their was a flag a truce Came to town and was atended By the 
generals. (22) 

Sunday July ye 21st this Day Clear and pleasent. Nothing 
Eemarkable— I sent two Letters home by Levt. Shaw— So Ends 
this 24 hours. 



Monday July ye 22d this Day pleasent— a vast maney men up- 
on fatique makin Br ast works round the park. 



Tusday July ye 23d this Day warm and Clear. Nothing Re- 
markable to Day. 



20 jouRNAr. 

Wedensday July yc 24 to Day warm— Eniployd as usual. I 
was taken not Verry Well. So Ends this 24 hours. 



Thirsday July ye 25th first part showery—Nothing remarkable 
—so Ends this 24 hours. 



Fryday July ye 2Gth this Day warm— Employd as useuel on 
these Days -it is Verry sickly in our army here at New York. 



Saturday July ye 2*7 th this Day warm — Tou rowe galley Came 
in here this after Noon— there was one rowe galley Lanched 
here— So Euds this 24 hours. 



Sunday July ye 28th Clear and warm this Day two of our row 
galley went up the north river this Evening one of our Campany 
Departed this Life. Belonged to Norton— his name was Jn. ha- 
ger. 

Monday July ye 29th this forenoon Clear and warm— after- 
noon we all in our Company atended the ftinirel of Jn. hager. 



Tusday July ye 30th first part showery- -Later part Clear and 
warm— yesterday arived here some troop from the Bay govern- 
ment.* 



Wednesday July ye 31st this Day Clear and warm — this after- 
noon we attended a ftinirel of one tliat Belonged to Burbank's 
Company. So Ends this Month, 

^* Col. Sargent's regiment and Col. Eutchinson's regiment, both from 
Botton. 



JOURNAL. 27 

thirsday August ye 1st this month Begins pleasent — some Shol- 
gers arived here — two more ro galleys went up the North river. 



Fryday August ye 2d this Day warm— there was a Larem we 
Exspectd ye Ships Down that Lay up the north river. 



Saturday August ye 3d this Day warm— Nothing remarkable. 



Sunday August ye 4th this Day pleasent — all our Eigemcnt 
Cleard from fateque — we here yesterday one of our galleys En - 
gaged the pheonix and rose men of war — our gallys huld them 
saverl times and they Did our gallys much hirt — they kiled 3 of 
our men and wounded 13. 



Monday August ye 5th Very warm this 24 hours — it is Yerry 
Sickly in our army. 



Tusday August ye 6th Nothing remarkable — so Ends this 24 
hours— Verry warm. 

"Wednesday August ye 7 th Nothing remarkable — the Enemy 
still Lays at Straten Island — this 24 hours Ends warm. 



Thirsday August ye 8th Nothing remarkable — some men arived 
here from the Bay State — So End this 24 hours with some rain. 



Fryday August ye 9th Clear and warm— orders for the four 
partys of the artilarry men that Belong to the feild peices to Join 
four Brigads, 



28 JOURNAL. 

Saturday August ye 10th Clear and warm — Cajit. Rool with 
30 men from Abington arived here. 

Sunday August ye 11th to Day Somthing Showerry — I recived 
two Letters from home and one from James Gloyd. 

Monday August ye 12th to Day somthing Cool — it is still 
Verry Sickly in our army I Being Yerry Porley myself. 

Tusday August ye 13— to Day Verry warm— there was about 
20 sail came in Below But where they came from we Cant tell 
yet. 

Wednesday August ye 14. To Day pleasent— this afternoon 
we hear that the ragulars are Landing on Long Island, But no 
sartinty of it. 

Thirsday August ye 15th this Day first part Showerry Latter 
part pleasent orders to holde ourselves in radiness for a Battle 
and to keep three Days i:)rovisions to Care with us where we 
should Be Cald to goe. 

Fryday August ye 16th this 24 hours pleasent -this Day part 
ofGenl. Lee's troops arived here from South Carolina and their 
is more of them Coming. 

Saturday August ye 17th— we hare that Last Night one of our 
fire Ships that was Built up the north river set out to Burn the 
jihenox But mist her But Burnt one of the Tanders. (23) So 
Ends this 24 hours— Somthing rany. 



JOURNAL. 29- 

Sunday August ye 18th to Day rany this morniug about Eight 
o'Clocli the phenix and the Rose with their tou Tenders that 
Lay up the north river run Down By the Town to the fleet we 
fired Smartly on them and they Lickwise on us But Cild none of 
us--we split 4 32pr. 

Monday August ye 19. to Day Somthing Couler it is Verry 
Sickly in our army yet and a great many Dies Everry Day—So 
Ends this 24 hours. 

Tusday August ye 20th to Day nothing Remarkable—So Ends 
this 24 hours— Clear and pleasent. 

Wednesday August ye 21st this Day j^leasent— there was a 
flage truce came to towne with a Letter to Genl. Worshington 
for the Congress. 

Thirsday August ye 22d Last Night their was a hard Squall 
of Thunder and Lightning it Cill'd 10 or 12 men and Struct one 
gaily But Did not Cill any a Board of her— this Day the Enemy 
Landed upon Long Island our peple Engaged them But Could 
not Drive them off— two feild peces went from york and 7 or 8 
Thousand Battalan men. 

Fryday August ye 23d this morning we her that the Enemy 
ware oblige to retreet But have no Sartingty of it yet— So Ends 
this 24 hours— I sent tou Letters hom. 

Saturday August ye 24th we here that our men made the 



30 JOURNAL. 

Enemy retreet about 2 mils— to Day Coul.* was put under the 
Provo gard for writing to Genl. bowf that he would Poizen the 
water when he was rady to Com up to Engage our men™he was 
shure Poizining his owue rigcrment and as many more as he 
Could. (24) So Ends this 24 hours Clear and pleasent. 

Sunday August ye 25th Nothing remarkable— the Enemy still 
are In Campt upon Long Island and our army are In Campt near 
them So Ends this 24 hours Clear and pleasent. 

Monday August ye 26— this Day their was an Engagement 
which Did not Last Long— their was 4 or 5 of our men Cilld and 
somr wounded— we toke some things from them. 

Tusday August ye 27— this morning a party of about 200 and 
2 feild peaces was surrounded By the Enemy and maid our Peopel 
retreet and took the Peaces kiled and took some of our men and 
sone after the Enemy Surrounded another party of our men about 
1200 and 2 feild peaces they made our men Leive the peaces with 
the Loss of Capt. Levt. Carpenter Comander of the feild peices 
with the Loss of some of the Battillian men and one Coin. 

Wednesday August ye 28th we here that Genl. SuliphantJ (2.5) 
and Lord Starling^ w^s taken yesterday— S ome firing on Both 
Sides at Long Island. 

Thirsday August ye 29th our people and the Enemy Keep 

* Lt. Col. Zedwitz. f A mistake— should be Gen. Tryon. 

§ Gen. Sullivan. § Lord Sterling. 



JOURNAL. 31 

their own Lins*— the Considerable firing on Both Sids— it is Verry 
raney on these Days. 

Fryday August ye 30 — Verry rany- Last Night about 10 
o'clock our men had orders to retreet of Long Island— thay Lik- 
wise Did and got of all our feild peaces and amuuition and the 
men all got of By Sunrise this morning the Enemy fired som at 
Last Boats that Left the Island our men Left goveners Island 
the Enemy fired at our Boats when Left govnrs Island and Cilld 
and wounded 3 or 4. Ginl Suliphent Came to Town upon the 
porrol of oner til to morrow 7 o'Clock. 

Saturday, August ye 31st to Day ye fleet Came up Nearer the 
Town our people went to Governers Isld and fired at the Shiping 
Sevrel time with Cannon that our people Left their and they re- 
turned the fire and fired savral tims at our rogalys as they went 
By the grand Battry to go up ye north river. So Ends this 
month. 

Sunday Sei^tcmber ye 1st to Day Part of our Company moved 
to tirCal Bayf the Sliiphig Drawd nearer the town. 

Monday September ye 2d Last Night our men went to Gove- 
ners Island and fachd of 4 or 5 Cannon this afternoon the Regu- 
lars tok porseseion of Governers Island and fired all the Cannon 
of that our people Left their— So Ends this 24 hours— pleascnt. 

Tusday September ye 3d this morning Before it was Light a 
* Lines. f Turtle Bay, corrupted from the original name of Deutal Bay. 



32 .TOtlRNAL. 

20 gun Ship Capt. Wallis went up the East river as far as tircul 
Bay our men went with 2 12pr one hoit and fired one hoit Shell 
in to her Quarter with other Dameg which made her move her 
Station. 

"Wednesday September ye 4th Clear and warm. Nothing Ee- 
markable to Day. 

Thirsday September ye 5th this afternoon major Grain with a 
Party of Artilary men went with 3 18pr and fired at the Ship 
that Lay up the East river and holed her saveral times and they 
fired at our men But Did not hurt any Except major Grain in 
one of his feet So Ends this 24 hours Clear and pleasent. 

Fryday September ye 6th Nothing remarkable to Day Clear 
and pleasent. 

Saturday September ye Tth this Day Clear and pleasent — this 
Evening the Shiping Espied our guard Boats and fired at them. 
So Ends this 24 hours. 

Sunday September ye 8th Nothing Remarkable to Day— two 
Belonging to our Company Died at the hospital. 

Monday September ye 9th our men fire some to the Enemy at 
helsgate and they Return the fire. 

Tusday September ye 10th to Day the Ragulars Landed about 
GOOO on one of the Islands Caled the two Brothers— Luke and 
rogers went to join their Party. 



JOURNAL. 83 

Wednesday September ye 11th Nothing Remarkable— Clear 
and pleasent—Some firing at hell Gate on Both Sids. 

Thirsday September ye 12th the Enemy fired Some Cannon 
Bals from Long Island to our forts in the City and our men fired 
some at them orders for all the sick to move ont to Kings Bridg 
Likwise all the Tems* Employd in giting our warlike Stors out of 
Town So Ends this 24 hours Clear and pleasent. 

Fryday September ye 13th to Day four Ships took the advan- 
teg of the wind and Tide and run up Betwixt read hok and gov- 
erners Island as far as horns hook (27) and their anchored— we 
are still giting in radiness to retret. 

Saturday, September ye 14th to Day Clear and pleasent Noth- 
ing remarkable— so Ends this 24 hours. 

Sunday September ye 15. this morning the Brigades in ginrel 
ware ordred to retreet out of town about 8 o'Clock their was 3 
ship went up By the town about 4 mils thay fired smartly at the 
town about 10 o'Clock the Enemy Landed at tircul Bay then we 
that was Left in the town was ordred to retreet But Bing to Late 
the Enemy haded us So that we ware oblige to make our escape 
as well as we Could But they Did not take maney of our men Now 
they have Prosesion of the town. (28) 

Monday September ye 16 — this morning the Enemy Came to 
* Teams. 



34 JOURNAL. 

force our Lius* where our people had arected about 7 or 8 mils 
from towu— But our men made them retreet and killd some of 
them and wounded and took a grate many more without Loss of 
many of our men. (29) 

Tusday September ye 17th Nothing remarkable to Day. 

Wednesday September ye IS. Clear and pleasent to Day. So 
Ends this 24 hours. 

Thirsday September ye 19— Nothing remarkable to Day — I 
Being not well Left the Laboratory and Joined our Company— 
So End this 24 hours. 

Fryday September ye 20th Clear and pleasant— Nothing Ke- 
markable— So Ends this 24 hours. 

Saturday September ye 21th this morning about 1 or 2 o'Clock 
their was a Large fire in the City of York But how much was 
Burnt we have no Sartinty nor how it got a fire. t3o Ends this 
24 hours. 

Sunday September ye 22d— Nothing remarkable to Day. I 
recived 2 Letters from home. 

Monday September ye 23d— To Day Their was a man sentenced 
to Be Shot for Deserting while in the Engagment the weke Be- 
fore But was rei^reved after he kncled Down to Be Shot. 
■ *Lines. 



JOURNAL. 35 

Tusday September ye 24th Clear and Pleasent this Day— the 
got Powels hook* But Did not take any guns or amunission. 

"Wednesday September ye 25. Nothing remarkable — I sent a 
Letter and Somthings home. 

Thirsday September ye 26th Verry Cold Last Night and this 
morning — So Ends this 24 hours. 

Fryday September ye 27. Clear and windey this afternoon 
their was two 13 inch morters with iron beds arived here from 
Boston and was on Loaded By fort worshington— So Ends this 
24 hours. 

Saturday September ye 28th to Day their is 400 of our men 
that was taken at Queback Cleared from the Enemy upon the 
Parol of honour that they will not take up arms against the King 
of England again — So Ends this 24 hours. 

Sunday September ye 29 th Nothing remarkable — Clear and 
pleasent. So Ends this 24 hours. 

Monday September ye 30 — to Day Exceding windy — So Ends 
this month at fort Worshington. 

Tusday October ye 1st Nothing remarkable to Day — So Be- 
gins this month. ' 

"^ Paulus Hook, now Jersey City. 



36 JODRNAI;. 

Wednesday October ye 2d Nothing remarkable to Day. So 
Ends this 24 hours — Clear and pleasent. 

Thirsday October ye 3d to Day their was 5 or 6 Ships up the 
north river as far as the Enemys Lius. 

Fryday October ye 4th Nothing remarkable. So Ends this 
24 hours — Clear and pleasent. 

Saturday October ye 5. Somthing misty this morning But 
Clear in the after Noon— So Ends this 24 hours. 

Sunday October ye 6th Clear and pleasent to Day their was 
a Sarmon Preached to our rigerment the Text was in Luke ye 
12 Chap. 4th and 5th Yarses. 

Monday October ye 7th Nothing remarkable to Day — Clear 
and pleasent — So Ends this 24 hours, 

Tusday October ye 8th Clear and j^leasent. 

Wednesday October ye 9th this morning about 7 or 8 o'Clock 
their was 3 ships and 3 Tenders got under Sail and Came up the 
North river By fort wors'n and run up about 15 mils and anchor- 
ed — they took two of our galeys a Sloop and a schooner Loaded 
with rum. (31) 

Thirsday October ye lOtb — Nothing remarkable to Day. 
Fryday October ye 11th — Last Tu^day Llord Starling was re- 



jornvAL. ■ 31 

denied and took the Comand of a Brigade again this after noon 
their was a Boat Came Down the north river our men thought 
that it was the Enemys Boat and fired at the Boat killd 3 wound- 
ed one it proved to Be ginl worshingtou Barge. 

Saturday October ye 12th to Day the Enemy Landed at Frog 
Point But our men ware To much for them they Could not march 
out from under the Covering of their Shiping. So Ends this 24 
hours Clear. 

Sunday October ye 13th Clear and pleasent. 

Monday October ye 14th Clear and pleasent to Day thir is 
Considerable movement in our Camps — Ginl Lee (32) arived here 
from South Carrolina. 

Tusday October ye 15th Nothing remarkable this 24 hours, 

Wensday October ye 16th Clear and pleasent Later Part rany. 

Thirsday October ye 17 — this morning Stormy Later Part 
Pleasent theis afternoon got the Brass raorter to the faryway — to 
Care it over to the jarsey side three Brigades went over Kings 
Bridg to the Eastward. 

Fryday October ye 18th Cloudaydayandwinday allourEiger- 
ment Employd in giting Cannon and morters over to the jersays 
Likwise in giting other things of the Island— So Ends this 24 
hours. 



38 JOURNAL. 

Saturday October ye 19tli Nothing Remarkable to Day. 

Sunday, October ye 20th to Day their was orders for about 
three Companys of artilary under the Comand of Capt Pircans 
to march from fort wors'n towards White Plains — marched 
about 4 mils over Kings Bridg and In Campt for this Night. 

Monday October ye 21th to Day we still Lay wating for orders 
so Ends this 24 hours. 

Tusday October ye 22 — to Day about 10 o'clock we Struck 
otu- tents and sot out for White Plains and arived their about 
12 o'clock at Night and in Campt. 

Wednesday October ye 23d to Day we picht our tents By the 
Church Yard — So Ends this 24 hours. 

Thirsday October ye 24th Nothing remarkable to Day. 

Fryday October ye 25. Verry fine weather for the time of 
year — so Ends this 24 hours. 

Saturday October ye 2Cth Clear and pleaseut — So Ends this 
week. 

Sunday October ye 27th Nothing remarkable to Day. 

Monday October ye 28 — this morning the Enemy advancd to- 
wards white plains about 12 o'Clock the Light horse Came near 
us Ave fired and kild three men and 3 horse and toke one of the 



JOURNAL. 39 

Enemy after a smart Ingagement^got a hill near our Incamp- 
ment with Loss of some men on Both Sides — so Ends this 24 
hours. 

Tusday October ye 29. we are still Incamjit at white Plains 
and the Enemy about a mile off— Some fireing at the Santreys on 
Both Sides — so Ends this 24 hours. 

Wednesday October ye 30th to Day It Bing rany Luke was 
takin not well I still Being not well in the afternoon we Beth sot 
out for North Castle hospital (about 15 mils from white Plains) 
and we got within 4 mils of the hospital and Put up for this 
night. 

Thirsday October ye 31st this morning we set out and got to 
the hospital Luke Being Verry Sick — So Ends this month — 
Clear and pleasent. 

Fryday November ye 1st Verry Chiley — one Died this Evning 
in the hospitle — so Ends this 24 hours. 

Saturday November ye 2d to Day Pleasent we here that our 
people have Left white Plain, and retreted Back about 3 mils — a 
man had his arme Cut of that was wounded Last moonday. 

Sunday November ye 3d to Day all the Sick moved out of 
Church hospital into another house the wounded staid in the 
Church — Luke Still Bing Verry Sick. 



40 JOURNAL. 

Monday November ye 4th Nothing remarkable to Day — Verry 
fine weather for the time of year. 

Tusday- November ye 5th Nothing remarkable to Day. 

Wednesday November ye 6 th Clear and pleasent. 

Thirsday November ye 7. Luke groing somthing Better. 

Fryday November ye 8th Clear and pleasent. 

Saturday November ye 9th Nothing remarkable. 

Sonday November ye lOth to Day 7 or 8 sick Came into the 
hospitle and Luke Brown and I moved out and got into a Private 
house the Landlord was Mr Peter Totten — So Euds this 24 
hours. 

Monday November ye 11th Clear and Pleasent. 

Tusday November ye 12th to Day Varry raw Cold. 

Wednesday November ye 13th — Luke groing worse. 

Thirsday November ye 14th we here that the Euemy has 
Landed at 

Fryday November ye 15th Clear and Pleasent. 
Saturday November ye 16th Nothing remarkable. 



JOURNAL. 41- 

Sunday November ye 17th. Noth'g &e. 

Monday November ye 18th I was taken Verry Porley a Pain 
in my head and Bones. 

Tusday November ye 19th I still grow wors. 

Wednesday November ye 20— this Night I trid to Swet But 
Could not. 

Thirsday November ye 21st to Day I Bing in as much Pain as 
I Could undergo and my feaver Increasing this Night I took a 
harty Swet. 

Fryday November ye 22— this morning I failing Somthing 
Better But so week I Could not git up without help. 

Saturday November ye 23—1 groing Better. 

Sonday November ye 24— Yerry wet weather I Still groing 
Somthing Better. 

Monday November ye 25th Still Verry well. 

Tusday November ye 26th Nothing remarkable. 

Wednesday November ye 2'7th Still Verry Stormy I now Be- 
ing Considerable Better So that I Can walk about Some in the 
house. 

Thirsday November ye 28th to Day Clear But Verry wet uudev 
foot— So End this 24 hours. 



42 JOURNAL. 

Fryday November ye 29th I now Being Considerable harty 
a<raiu— So Ends this 24 hours Clear and Pleasent. 



Saturday November ye 30th To Day Rany first Part Latter 
Part Clearing up So Ends this month. 



Sunday December ye 1— to Day Clear and pleasent— Brown 
Luke and I Joined Left. Chandlys Party that works at the Labo- 
ratory at North Castle. 



Mouday December ye 2d to Day we sot out for Peaks Keal 
and marched about 10 mils with 30 wagon Load of artilary 
stors. 



Tusday December ye 3— to Day we got to Pk-Keal and on 
Loaded the Stors iu a store it Being Yerry rainy. 



Wednesday December ye 4— we got our Laboratory Stors 
aboard a Schonar and Sat Sail for fish Keals* about 20 mils and 
got a had Very Sloly. 

Thirsday December ye 5th--to Day we got But Little towards 
our Port, I Being Verry Porley. 



Fryday December ye 6— this Evining we arived at the fish 
Keals Landing— So Ends this 24 hours. 



Saturday December ye 7— to Day Employd in un Lodiiig the 
* Fish Kill. 



JOURNAL. 43 

Sloop and Loading the wagons for to go to the fish Kils Town— 
So Ends this 24 hours. 



Sunday December ye 8— to .Day we Came to the fish Keels 
Town. 



Monday December ye 9. Nothing Remarkable. 



Tusday December ye 10. Clear weather. 



Wednesday December ye 11th this Evening their Came a Snow 
about 6 inches Deep. i 

Thirsday December ye 12th to Day Clouday. 



Fryday December ye 13th Clouday to Day, 



Saturday December ye 14th— Nothing remarkable. 



Sunday December ye 15— to Day we had a Sarmon Preach'd 
in the Church where we keep and our Stors. 



JVIonday December ye 16th Clear and Could. 



Tusday December ye 17 Nothing Remarkable. 



Wednesday December ye 18th Clear and pleasent. 



TTiirsday December ye 19th Clear and pleasent for the Time of 
year. 

Fryday December ye 20th Verry Could this morning about 



44 JOURNAL. 

12 o'clock it Begun to Snow But Terry modrate— So Ends this 
24 hours. 



Saturday December ye 21st Some Snow to Day, and Thawey 
the Snow about 3 inches Deep when it Cleard away in the Even- 
ing. 



Sunday December ye 22d to Day it is Clear and Pleasent for 
the time of year. 

Monday December ye 23d Nothing remarkable. 



Tusday December ye 23— Verry Could in ye Night. 



Wednesday December ye 25th a fine Day for Christmass— So 
Ends this 24 hours. 



Thirsday December ye 26 Snowey weather to Day. 



Fryday December ye 2'7th Clear weather to Day — the Snow 
about 6 inches Deep. 

Saturday December ye 28th Clouday But not Very Could. 



Sunday December ye 29 — Clear weather. 



Monday December ye 30— nothing remarkable. 



Tusday December ye 31— Nothing Remarkable— So Ends this 
Year. 



JOURNAL, 45 

Wednesday January ye 1. 1777— this morning we set out for 
home it Being So wet we Did not Travel But 20 mils and Put 
np at a Private house. 

Thirsday January ye 2d this morning Verry wet under foot 
about 8 o'clock we set out and Came over new Milford Bridg 
about 3 mils— we Traveld about 22 mils. 



Fryday January ye 3d this morning we set out and Came 
Through Lichfield to Day — we Traveld about 24 mils it Being 
Verry ruff Traveling and Yerry Cold— So End this 24 hours. 



Saturday January ye 4th — Very Could this Day— we Travld 
Through hartford and Came about Six mils this Side of the ferrey 
and Put up at Bejamins— So Ends this 24 hours. 



Sunday January ye 5 th This morning we sot out Varey Erley 
and Travlied as far as wendham and put up at an inn — So Ends 
this 24 hours— Verry Could. 



Monday January ye 6— this morning came 5 mils to New 
Scotland and Eat Brekfast- -then Travled to Cituate, and put up 
at Greens— about 18 mils from Providence. So Ends this 24 
hours— Could. 



Tusday January ye 7— this morning we set out for Providence 
and arived their about 1 o'Clock and met with John Puffer and 
Nathen Snow this Evning we had a Campaign and after our fill 



46 JOURNAL. 

of Good Liquor and a good Super we Cald for our Loging and 
went to Bed— So Ends this 24 hours. 



Wednesday January ye 8 — this morning we got up and Took 
Down Som Bitters and then set out and got to Protucket and 
took Brackfast and Came to Norton and put up for to Night. 



Thirsday January ye 9 — this morning we sot out and got to 
Careys By 12 o'Clock and took Diner and som good flip (33) and 
then Came to Capt Browns and took Down Some more flip and 
then Came home and found all well—So End this Long Campain 
in the war, 



^L/o-u^^^^crn (J\/^CJ^ 



NOTES. 



(1) Gen. Putnam, on the 8th of January, 1776, detached a 
party of about 200 men, under command of Major Knowlton, 
aided by Brigade Majors Henly and Gary, to destroy 14 houses 
standing along the main street, in Charlestown, which had escaped 
destruction and were occupied by the British. The party crossed 
the mill-dam from Gobble Hill, about 9 o'clock in the evening. 
Major Gary was directed to proceed to' the houses furtherest from 
the dam, and set fire to them, while another party under Major 
Henly was ordered to wait until this was done, and then set fire 
to those nearest to it. But some of the party set fire to the 
latter first. The flames gave the alarm to the enemy on Bunker 
Hill. Guns were immediately discharged from every quarter of 
the fort, indicating the confusion of the defenders, and aSbrding 
no little amusement to Gen. Putnam and his staff, who were spec- 
tators of the affair from Cobble Hill. Nor was this the only 
alarm. The attack was made in the midst of a performance in 
Boston of the British play, entitled " The Blockade of Boston," 
in which the figure designed to burlesque Washington enters in 
an uncouth gait, with a large wig and a long sword, attended by 



48 NOTES. 

a country servant with a rusty gun. A sergeant suddenly ap- 
peared and exclaimed, " The Yankees are attacking our works 
on Bunker Hill." At first, this was supposed by the audience to 
bea part of the play, but when Gen. Howe, who was present, 
called out " Officers, to your alarm posts," the people instantly 
rushed out, the females shrieking and fainting. Major Knowl- 
ton burnt 8 or 10 of the houses, killed one man, who made re- 
sistence, and brought off 5 prisoners, without sustaining any 
damage. Majors] Knowlton, Gary, and Henly, were much 
praised for their good conduct on . this occasion, and were 
thanked in the general orders of the next day. 

Frothmgham's History of the Siege of Boston, p. 287. 

(2) About the first of November, 177.^, Capt. Manly, of 
Marblehead, commander of the American armed schooner Lee, one 
of the six vessels fitted out at Boston, under the direction of Wash- 
ington, before Congress had yet taken measures to establish a navy, 
captured off Cape Ann, and brought into that harbor, the 
British store ship Nancy, bound from London to Boston. The 
vessel was loaded with a complete assortment of military stores, 
among which were 2,000 muskets, 100,000 flints, 30,000 round 
shot for one, 6 and 12-pounders, over 30,000 musket shot, 11 
mortar beds, and a 13 inch brass mortar of a new construction, 
that weighed 2,700 pounds. So valuable were these stores, being 
the very things the Americans most needed at that t'me, that 
Washington, supposing that Gen. Howe would make immediate 
efforts to recover them, sent an armed force to Cape Ann to 
secure them. Universal joy ran through the whole American 
camp at the news of this capture, and upon the arrival of these 
trophies, the mortar was fixed in its bed for the occasion, and Gen. 
Putnam, with a bottle of rum in his hand, mounted it, as parson 
to christen it, while godfather Mifflin gave it the name of" Con- 



n 



NOTES. 45 

gress." During the severe bombardment and cannonade at the 
siege of Boston, on the 2d of March following, the " Congress" 
burst, not having been properly bedded. It was said to have 
been the noblest piece of ordnanee ever landed in America. 

Thatcher's Military Journal, p 36 . 

(3) This party came with the intention of surprising the 
American guard, and were very nigh effecting their purpose, the 
guard but just escaping them. There was but one musket fired 
on the side of the Americans. An old inhabitant and his son 
were taken prisoners. 

Heath's Memoirs, page 37. 

(4) This party was commanded by Ensign Lyman, of Hunt- 
ington's Regiment. They took a corporal and two men who 
were sentinels at Brown's chimneys on Boston Neck, prisoners, 
without firing a gun. 

Heath, p. 39. 

(5) These bombs were thrown by the Americans from their 
works on Cobble Hill and Leachmere's Point on the Cambridge 
side, and from Lamb's Dam on the Eoxbury side. They were 
thrown in order to divert the attention of Gen. Howe from the 
works which the Americans were erecting under Gen. Thomas 
on Dorchester Heights. These works were nearly completed by 
morning. Perhaps there never was so much work done in so 
short a space of time. The orchards were cut down to make 
the abattis, and a very curious and novel mode of defence was 
added to the works. The hills on which [the fortifications were 
erected were steep and clear of trees and bushes. Eows of bar- 
rels, filled with earth, were placed around. These presented only 
the appearance of strengthening the works, but the real design 



&0 NOTES, 

was, in case the enemy made an attack, to have rolled them down 
the hill. They would have descended with such increasing ve- 
locity as must have thrown the assailants into the utmost confu- 
sion, and have killed and wounded great numbers. This project 
was suggested by Mr. Wm. Davis, a merchant of Boston, to Gen. 
Thomas, who immediately communicated it to Gen. Washington, 
who highly approved of it, as did all the other officers. 

Heath, p. 40. 

(G) Fascines. — These are bundles of rods or small sticks of 
wood, bound at both ends, and in the middle, and are used in 
raising batteries, in filling ditches, strengthening ramparts, and 
making parapets. Sometimes they are dipped in melted pitch 
or tar, and then used to set fire to the enemy's lodgments or 
other works. 

(7) This storm took place about midnight, and continued for 
some time. The wind blew almost a hurricane from the south. 
Many windows were forced in, sheds and fences blown down, and 
several vessels driven ashore. It was said that about 3,000 
British troops had been ordered to make an attack on the Amer- 
ican works, but this storm compelled Gen. Howe to abandon the 
enterprise. 

Thatcher, p. 41. 
Heath, p. 40. 

(8) This flag of truce was sent by the selectmen of Boston. 
The situation of the inhabitants of that town was at this time 
peculiarly unhappy. Having failed in their efforts to leave the 
town in Ajiril, on account of the stringent orders of Gen. Gage, 
who feared they might join their countrymen in an attack then 
threatened, they were equally unable to do so now, as Gen. Howe, 



NOTES. 51 

who succeeded Gage, in Oct., 1775, being apprehensive that they 
might give intelligence of the situation of the British troops, 
strictly prohibited any person from leaving the place under pain 
of military execution. Thus matters continued until the British 
evacuated the town. 

(9) Gen. Sir William Howe, was the successor of Gen. Gage 
in the command of the British troops in America, arriving at 
Boston, in May, 1775, with Burgoyne. He commanded in the 
battle of Bunker Hill, and in Sept. 1776, he took possession of 
New York. In July, 1777, he sailed for the Chesapeake, entered 
Philadelphia Sept. 27, and defeated the Americans at German- 
town Oct. 4. In May, 1778, he was succeeded by Sir Henry 
Clinton. He died in 1814. He was the brother of Lord Howe, 
who commanded the fleet. 

(10) This was a strong detachment sent to oppose a work on 
Nuke Hill in Dorchester. Some of the men imprudently kindled 
a fire behind the hill previous to the hour for breaking ground. 
The enemy discovered the light and commenced firing on the 
party. The four men who were killed were standing around the 
fire. One of them was Dr. Dow, of Connecticut. The work was 
thereupon suspended for the night. 

Heath, p. 41. 

(11) On the morning of March 17, 1776, the British evacuated 
Boston, their rear guard with some marks of precipitation. Be- 
sides a number of cannon which were spiked, they left two large 
marine mortars which they in vain attempted to burst. The 
garrison at Bunker Hill practised some deception to cover their 
retreat. They fixed some images representing men in the place 
of their sentinels, with muskets placed on their shoulders. Their 



62 NOTES. 

immovable position led to the discovery of the deception, and a 
detachment of Americans marched in and took possession. The 
troops on the Roxbury side moved over the neck and took pos- 
BBSsion of Boston, as did others from Cambridge in boats. On 
the Americans entering the town, the inhabitants discovered joy 
irrepressible. The town had been much injured in its buildings, 
and some individuals had been i^lundered. 

Heath, p. 43. 

The number of the British who evacuated Boston, exclusive of 
the staff, was 7,575, and the addition of the marines and sailors is 
eupposed to have rendered Howe 10,000 strong. They left their 
barracks standing, and a number of pieces of cannon sjjiked, also 
four large iron sea mortars and stores to the value of £.30,000. 

Holmes' Annals, vol. 2, page 242. 

On the 25th, Congress, in commemoration of this event, ordered 
a gold medal to be struck and presented to Gen. Washington, 
and passed likewise a vote of thanks to him and the ofiBcers and 
soldiers under his command. The medal was 2^4 inches in diam- 
eter, and the dies were cut by B. Duvivier, a noted artist of that 
day in Paris. It bears upon the obverse, a fine profile of Wash- 
ington, with the legend " Georgia WasJiington siipremo diici exer- 
titum adserioria libertatis comitia Americana." On the reverse is 
a representation of the British emba^'king : In the foreground 
Washington appears with h'S staff, whose attention is upon the de- 
parting enemy. The legend is " Hostibus priTnofugads." In the 
exergue, " Bostonium recuperatum XVII Martii MDCCLXXVI." 

(12) Hell Gate, or Hurl Gate, — a celebrated strait near the 
west end of Long Island Sound, opposite Harlem, and about 8 
miles N.E. of New York City, remarkable for its whirlpools, 
which make a tremendous roaring at certain times of the tide. 



NOTRS. 53 

(13) Bunker Hill was a pleasant eminence, from the top of 
which was an extensive view of the lower section of the Island 
of New York. It was, prior to the Revolution, called Mount 
Pleasant, and was from early times a favorite resort for excur- 
sionists and parties from the city. It stood a short distance 
westerly from the Bowery Lane, the precise locality being on the 
blocks now within the boundaries of Centre, Grand, Broome and 
Elizabeth Streets. On the south, it sloped down to the meadows 
which surrounded the Collect Pond. On the north, it waa 
bounded by a line leading through Mr. Bayard's farm, on the 
west by the garden of Mr. Bayard, and on the east it gradually 
descended to the Bowery road. It was a small cone-shaped 
mount, and was at one time called " Bayard's Mount." In the 
revolution, a small fort was erected upon it, and the hill waa 
known as " Bunker Hill." After the revolution, the hill was excan 
vated and the earth was used to fill up the Collect Pond. 

(14) Sapokanican, an Indian name applied to that part of the 
Island of New York, afterwards known as Greenwich. 

(15) These two vessels were rich Jamaicamen, laden with 
sugar, rum, molasses and plate, which had been captured by two 
Philadelphia privateers, named the " Congress" and " Chance," at 
Egg Harbor. 

(16) This person was Thomas Hickie, who was accused of 
being a party to a plot to assassinate Gen. Washington and his 
staiF, and to blow up the magazines and secure the passes of the 
town. The chief evidence against him was William Green, the 
drummer, and Washington's housekeeper, who was the daughter 
of Sam. Francis, celebrated as the keeper of the tavern corner 
of Pearl and Broad Streets, New York. Hickie was a dark 
complexioned Irishman, and had been a deserter from the British 



54 NOTES. 

army several years before. He had lived in Wethersfield, Con- 
necticut, where he bore a good character, and was one of those 
selected for Washington's Life Guard, from Col. Knowlton's 
Conn. Rangers. He had the confidence of the Commander-in- 
Chief, and was a lavorite at Richmond Hill, where Washington 
then had his headquarters. Having enlisted in the conspiracy, 
the chief leaders of which were Gov. Tryon,and David Mathews, 
Mayor of the city ; he was instructed with the work of destroy- 
ing Gen. Washington. He first corrupted Jas. Johnson, the fifer, 
and Wm. Green, the drummer of the corps, and having resolved 
to make way with tlie Commander-in-chief by poison, he next 
approached the housekeeper with whom he was on ,i^ood terms. 
He made her his confidant, and she pretended to favor his plans. 
Washington was very fond of green peas, and it was agreed that 
when a dish of them was ready for the General's table, Hickie was 
to put the poison into it. In the meantime the housekeeper pri- 
vately disclosed the plot to the General. The peas were accordingly 
poisoned and placed upon the table. Washington made some 
excuse for sending the dish away, and Hickie was soon after ar- 
rested. He was tried by a court-martial, and on the testimony 
of the housekeeper and one of the guard, whom the culprit had 
unsuccessfully attempted to corrupt, he was found guilty, and sen- 
tenced to be hung. On Friday morning, June 28, 1776, about 11 
o'clock, the sentence was carried into effect, William Moroney, the 
Provost Marshal, officiating on the occasion. The event took place 
in a field between the camps of Cols. McDougal and Huntington, 
near the Bowery Lane, a little east of the Bowery, not far from 
the intersection of the present Grand and Chrystie Streets. It 
is said that nearly 20,000 spectators were present, most of whom, 
however, belonged to the army. 

American Archives. Series 4, Vol. 6, p. 1084. 

Marshall's Life of Washington. Vol 2, p. 393. 

Lossing's Acc't of W.-ishington's Life Guard. 

Gordon's Hist. American War. Vol 2. \>. 276, 277. 



NOTES. 55 

(17) Matrosses, are soldiers in a train of artillery, who are 
nest to the gunners, and assist them in loading, firing and spung- 
ing the guns. They carry fire-locks, and march with the store 
wagons as guards and assistants. 

(18) See note 16. 

(19) On the evening of July 9, 1776, when the American 
army, under Gen. Washington, occupied the city of New York, 
a portion occvipied the common or park, and here the declara- 
tion of Independence was published to the army. The Com- 
mander-in-Chief, in pursuance of official instructions, issued an 
order for the several brigades to be drawn up at 6 o'clock to hear 
it read by their commanders or aids. The brigades were formed 
in a hollow square, at or about the spot where the Park Foun- 
tain now stands. Washington was within the square, on horse- 
back, and one of his aids read the document. At the conclusion, 
three hearty cheers were given. 

(20) The equestrian statue of King George III.,' ordered by the 
Legislature of N. Y., May 17, 1770, was erected on the 21st day 
of August, 1770, being the anniversary of the birthday of the 
King's father. Prince Frederick. The statue was erected upon 
a pedestal in the Bowling Green — a small park deriving its name 
from its having been used as a bowling place for the officers and 
garrison of Fort George. The members of his Majesty's council, 
the different corporations in the city, together with many of the 
leading citizens, waited upon the Lieut. Gov., C. Colden, Esq., at 
his request, in the Fort, on which occasion his Majesty's and other 
loyal healths were drank, amid a dischai'ge of cannon, accompanied 
with a band of music. A temporary fence of posts and rails, about 
five rails high, was at first erected around the green. On the 3d 



56 NOTES. 

May, 1771, the (leneral Assembly made an appropriation of £800 to 
defray the expense of an iron railing in a stone foundation around 
it. Symptoms of disloyalty betokening revolution soon mani- 
fested themselves in the rude treatment of the efSgy, for on the 
6th day of Feb., 1773, an act was passed to prevent the defacing 
of the statue, and imposing a penalty of £500 N. T. currency, 
or in default, one year's imprisonment in the common jail, with- 
out bail or main prize. The siatiie was made of lead and richly 
gilded to resemble gold, and was the workmanship of Wilton, a 
celebrated statuary of London. It stood until July 10, 1776, 
when it was pulled down by the Liberty boys and converted into 
bullets. Among those who were conspicuous actors on the occa- 
sion, were Col. Peter T. Cortenius, and John Wiley, grandfather 
to the bookseller of that name. Both of these men were very 
popular, and were distinguished for their patriotism and intrepi- 
dity. A portion of the statue was taken to Litchfield, Conn., as 
a place of safety. On its arrival there, a shed was erected in an 
apple orchard, where Gov. Wolcott chopped a part of it up with 
the wood axe, and the girls had a frolic in running the bullets 
and making them into cartridges. A piece of the statue, form- 
ing the saddle cloth and circingle, was carried to Norwalk, about 
45 miles up the Sound. When Gov. Tryou was on his marauding 
expedition through Conn., it was moved with the military stores 
to Wilton, some six miles from the coast, and deposited at a place 
called Raymond's Corner. On the enemy approaching that place, 
the inhabitants threw this fragment of the statue together with 
the military stores into a swamp in the woods. There the lead 
lay until the winter of 1832-33, when it was discovered by a boy 
named Comstock, who was crossing the frozen swamp, at other 
times impassable, and recognized by a Mr. Belden, a Revolution- 
ary pensioner, residing in Wilton, and who had himself borne a 
conspicuous part in its destruction, as being a portion of the 



NOTBg, 5T 

Equestrian statneof George III, erected in New York. The relic 
was in the possession of the uncle of the finder until the year 
1844, when it was purchased by a gentleman of New York, who 
subsequently disjwscd of it to the late Thomas Riley, Esq., then 
proprietor of the Fifth Ward Hotel, where it may still be see n 
There are still many tracings of the origipal gilding, and the 
fringe of the saddle cloth is distinctly perceptible. A large iron 
bullet mould, capable of casting twelve bullets at a time, and 
which was used in casting some of the lead of the King's statue 
into bullets, may be seen among the collections of the New York 
Historical Society. 

The pedestral upon which the statue was erected was removed 
to Jersey City, and placed over the remains of Major Smith, of 
the 42d, or Eoyal Highland Regiment, who died July 25, 1783, 
and was buried on a hill, near the present site of St. Matthew's 
church, Sussex street. In the year 1804, the earth was removed 
from this hill by Andrew Dey, or by the Jersey Associates, but 
it is not known what became of the remains of Major Smith. 
John Van Vorst, grandfather of Alderman Van Vorst, took 
this stone, and laid its inscription downward, in front of the old 
family mansion, which was a few rods south of the present resi 
dence of John Van Vorst. 

In the year 1818, the old Van Vorst mansion was demolished, 
and the late Cornelius Van Vorst placed it as a stepping stone 
to the kitchen door of his house, on the knoll on the northerly 
side of Wayne street, near Jersey street. There it remained 
until that building was demolished, when it was used for the new- 
house on the southerly side of Wayne street, now occupied by the 
family. In the year 1828, a gentleman from England called upon 
Mr. Van Vorst, and offered him $500 for this relic, as he wished 
to take it to England with him, but Mr. Van Vorst declined 
the offer, and it still remains in the possession of the family. I 



58 NOTES. 

is made of Portland marble, and was imported from England 
for the purpose of being used as a pedestal for the leaden statue 
of King George III. It was used for that purpose until the 
statue was demolished. 

It is to be hoped that before long it may be placed in some 
proper repository, where it will be less liable to be defaced and 
destroyed. 

Woodruff's Hist. Litchfield, Conn. p. 42. 
Proceedings of N. Y. Hist. See. for 1844, p. 168. 

(21) Two British ships of war, the Phenix and Rose, and 
three tenders, at about 4 o'clock P.M., taking advantage of the 
tides and a fresh breeze, came up fi-om the fleet, and passed the city 
up the Hudson. A brisk cannonade took place from Red Hook, 
Governor's Island, Paulus Hook and all the batteries on the North 
River side. The ships were several times struck by the shot, but 
received no matej-ial damage. The ships returned the fire as 
they passed the batteries and the encampment on the bank of the 
river. The tents were struck and dropped on the ground l^efore 
the ships came abreast of them. Several shot fell on the encamp- 
ment, and one entered the embrasure of a small redoubt, on the 
flank of encampment, and struck in the banquette on the oppo- 
site side of the redoubt, between the legs of two soldiers, but 
did no damage. Several American artillerists were killed and 
wounded by the bursting of some of our own cannon. The ships 
ran nearly up to Tappan Bay and came to anchor. 

Heath, page 49. 

(22) This flag of truce came from Gen. Howe, with Adj.-Gen. 
Patterson, with a message to Gen. Washington, respecting the 
recent capitulation in Canada, and insinuating that Gen. Howe 
was desirous, if possible, to bring about an accommodation. 

Heath, ]j 50 



NOTES. 59 

(23) An attempt was made by the Americans, by the aid of 

fire vessels, to destroy the British shipping. The Phenix cut 

loose, but the tender was burnt down to the water's edge, and 

was towed to shore by the Americans. From the tender was 

taken 1 iron 6-pounder, 2 3-pounders, 1 2-pounder, 10 swivels, 

a caboose, some gun barrels, cutlasses, grappling chains, &c. 

The Rose and the other two tenders remained at their moorings, 

but it was said that one of the tenders was deserted by her crew 

for a time. The Americans sustained no loss or injury excepting 

one man, who in firing one of the vessels got considerably burnt 

in the face, hands, &c. 

^ Heath, p. 53. 

(24) Lieut. -Col. Zedivitz, of the Continental service, was dis- 
covered to have carried on a treasonable correspondence with 
Gov. Tryon of New York. A most infamous letter fi-om him 
to Tryon was intercepted and fell into the hands of the Ameri- 
cans. The object of this correspondence was to obtain a large 
sum of money, to be immediately sent him upon condition of his 
giving the enemy information of the strength and situation of the 
Continental army, agreeably to a promise he had made Gov. 
Tryon previous to entering the American service. He invented 
this falsehood, that he had lately seen four villains at Gen. Wash- 
ington's house with fourteen bottles of a mixture as black as ink, 
with which they were to poison the watering place on Staten 
Island, and were to receive a recompense of £1,000 each from the 
General. He also stated that a person always near the General , 
who was a friend to the King, though an interested one, had 
offered to furnish him with weekly returns of the strength and 
detail of the army till December, for the sum of £4,000 sterling 
to be paid beforehand, in hard gold — that he had proposed a re- 
ward of £2,000 sterling, which was agreed to, and he therefore 
desired, if the plan be agreeable, that the money might be im- 
mediately conveyed to him. 



60 NOTES. 

The perfidy of this man was discovered by the person whom 
he engaged to deliver his letter. He endeavored to debauch one 
Steen, who being a German, in but indifferent circumstances, and 
unemployed in the American service, he imagined would be a 
proper instrument for his purpose. But Steen, perceiving his 
iotention, and being an honest man and a friend to the country, 
only amused him with a seeming compliance, until he got his 
letter into his hands, and then, without delay, laid it before the 
General. 

Zedwitz, on his trial, acknowledged the letter to be his, but 

pleaded that it was intended merely as a trick upon the enemy, to 

extract from them £2,000 sterling, in lieu of certain expenses he 

had put himself to in raising a regiment in Germany, at the re, 

quest of the Marquis of Granby, for which he had never been rc- 

embursed. The life of Zedwitz was saved by a casting vote, but 

he was cashiered and declared incapable of holding any military 

office in the service of the United States. This strange sentence 

was owing to a militia Brigadier-General and others of a similar 

judgment, who being members of the court, said it was only an 

attempt to correspond, and so the fellow escaped. 

Penn. Journal, Sept. 4, 1776. 

Mass. Hist. Soc. Coll., 1 series, vol. 2, p. 72. 

Gordon's American War, vol. 2, p. 325. 

(25) Major-Gen. John Sullivan was taken prisoner at the battle 
of Long Island, August 27, 1776, by the Ilessians, under the im- 
mediate command of Count Dunop, and confined in the ship 
Eagle, with Lord Sterling, but he was parokd by Lord Howe, 
and sent by h'm to Continental Congress, with a verbal message, 
desiring a conference with a committee of that body. He re, 
mained a prisoner on parole for about three months, when he was 
exchanged for Gen. Prescott, who had been captured by Colonel 
Barton. 



NOTES. 61 

(26) Major-General Lord S/crhng was taken prisoner at the 
battle of Long Island, August 27, 177G, by the Hessians, under 
Gen. DeHeister, and was confined on board the British ship 
Eagle for about a month, when he was exchanged for Governor 
Brown, of Providence, R. I., who had been captured by Commo- 
dore Hoj)kins. 

(27) Hornshook, or Horen's Hook, now Harris' Point. A 
fort was erected here by the Americans in 1776, and stood until 
about the year 1794, when Archibald Gracie, who then owned 
the place, caused the remains of the military works to be levelled, 
at great expense, and erected upon their rocky base an elegant 
mansion and appurtenances. 

(28) The British landed at Kipp's Bay, on the 15th Sept., 
1776, about noon. They met with but small resistance, and 
pushed towards the city, of which they took possession in the 
afternoon. Some of the Americans did not behave well. The 
conduct of Gen. Parson's brigade called out the expression from 
Washington, " Are these the men with which 1 am to defend 
America?" Major Chapman was killed, and Brigade- Major 
Willis taken prisoner. A few others were killed or captured. 
The Americans retreated up the island, and some few who could 
not get out of the city that way, escaped in boats across the river» 
to Paulus Hook. 

Heath, p. 60. 

(29) This skirmish took place on the heights west of Harlem 
Plaius, and south of Morris' House, between a party of Hessian 
Yagers, British Light Infantry and Highlanders, and the Ameri- 
can riflemen and some other troops, and resulted in favor of the 
Americans. The troops fought well on both sides, and gave 



62 NOTES. 

great proofs of their markmanship. The Americans had several 
officers killed aud wounded, among the former Lieut-Col. Thomas 
Knowlton, of the Conn. Line, aud Capt. Gleason, of Nixon's 
Mass. Keg't., two excellent officers, and Major Leitch, of one of 
the Southern Reg'ts, among the latter. This affair was a bril- 
liant one on the part of the Americans, and was not followed up 
by them for fear of bringing on a general engagement, to which 
Washington was opposed, both parties being within supporting 
distance of the troops engaged. 

Heath, p. 61. 
Dunlap's N. Y., vol. 2, p. 77. 

(30) This fire began on the 21st Sept., 177G, in a small wooden 
house on the wharf, near the Whitehall Slip, then occupied by 
women of ill fame. It commenced late at night, and at a time 
when but few of the inhabitants were left in the city, by reason 
of the presence of the enemy. The raging element was terrific 
and sublime — it burned up Broadway on both sides until it was 
arrested on the easterly side, by Mr. Harrison's brick house, but 
it continued to rage and destroy all along the western side to 
St. Paul's Church — thence it inclined towards the North river* 
(the wind having changed to south-east), until it ran out at the 
water edge, a little beyond the Bear Market, say at the present 
Barclay Street. Trinity Church, though standing alone, was 
fired by the flakes which fell on its steep roof, then so steep that 
none could stand upon it to put out the falling embers. But St. 
Paul's Church, though equally exposed, was saved by allowing 
citizens to stand on its flatter roof, and wet it as occasion re- 
quired. In this awful conflagration 493 houses were consumed. 
Generally in that day they were inferior houses to the present 
and many of them were of wood. Several of the inhabitants 
were r( strained from going out to assist at night, from a fear 
that they might be arrested as suspicious persons. In fact, 



NOTES. 63 

several decent citizens were sent to the Provost Guard for ex- 
amination, and some had to stay there two or three days unti^ 
their loyalty could be made out. In one case, a Mr. White, a good 
loyalist and a decent man, though sometimes inclined ' to take a 
drop too much,' was, by misapprehension of his character, 
in the excitement of the moment, hung upon a sign post. A 
portion of the tract of land over which the fire raged, was after- 
wards occupied by temporary houses, covered with canvas, in. 
stead of roofs. This place was called " Canvas Town." The 
tenants of these houses were generally very lewd and dissolute 
persons, who gave the spot its notoriety. A topographical map 
showing the whole line of the conflagration, is in the N. Y. Hist. 
Soc, having been presented to that institution by the person who 
made it at the time, the late David Grim, Esq. 

Watson's Annals N. T., p. 295. 

A thousand houses, comprising nearly one-fourth of the city, 

were laid in ashes. Among the public buildings which were 

consumed, were Trinity Church, the Public Charity School, 

the Rector's house, and a Lutheran church. The loss sustained 

by Trinity Church, upon the burning of houses, is said to have 

been more than £15,600 sterling. The fire broke out at a dram 

shop, close in with the water side, at Whitehall Slip, about one 

o'clock in the morning. Everything was very dry, and a brisk 

southerly wind blew. The flames soon caught the neighboring 

houses, and spread rapidly, raging with inconceivable violence. 

There were few citizens in town (it being only a few days before that 

the British had taken possession of the city), and the fire engines 

and pumps were out of order. Two regiments went immediately 

to the place, and many boats full of men were sent from the fleet. 

To these, under Providence, it was that the whole city was not 

reduced to ashes. The fire is believed to have originated from 

accident. 

Gordon, vol, 2, p. 330. 



64 NOTES. 

Of the many and different rejjorts concerning that melancholy 
affair, the most authentic, we believe, is as follows, viz : 

The fire originated at or near Whitehall, soon extended to the 
Exchange, took its course up the west side of Broad Street, as far 
as Verlattenberg Hill, consuming all the blocks from the White 
Hall up. The flames extended across the Broadway from the 
house of Mr. David Johnston, to Beaver Lane, or Fincher's Alley, 
on the west, and carried ali before it, a few buildings excepted, to 
the house at the corner of Barclay Street, wherein the late Mr. 
Adam Vandenberg lived, sweeping all the cross streets in the 
way. The buildings left standing on the west side of the Broad- 
way are supposed to be Captain Thomas Randall's, Captain 
Kennedy's, Dr. Mallat's, Mr. John Cortlandt's sugar house and 
dwelling house, Dr. Jones's, Hull's Tavern, St. Paul's, Mr. Axtell's. 
and Mr. Rutherford's. The cause of the fire is not known. We 
imagine about a sixth part of the whole city is destroyed, and 
many families have lost their all. 
N. T. Gazette and Weekly Mercury, Saturday, Sept. 28, 1776. No. 1302. 

Another authority observes that this fire was "most probably 
occasioned by the disorderly conduct of some British sailors, who 
had been permitted to regale themselves on shore." 

Ramsay's Am. Rev., vol. 1, p. 393. 

(31) These vessels were the Phenix and Roebuck, of 44 guns 
each, and the Tartar of 28, commanded by the Captains Parker, 
Hammond and Ominaney. They sailed up the North River, 
passing through the Chevaux de frise, and by the American bat- 
teries. The Americans gave them as heavy a fire of cannon as 
they dared, but 'tis said, without doing them any material damage. 
The Phenix's maiutop-sail was shattered by some shots from 
the forts on the Heights. The Pearl and Repulse frigates re- 
mained at anchor a little below the Chevaux de frise. 

N. Y. Gazette and Weekly Mercury. No. 1303. 



NOTES. 



65 



(32) Charles Lee was a native of Wales, and was the son of 
John Lee, a Colonel in the British service. He entered the army 
at an early age, and served under Gen. Abercrombie in America, 
in the campaign of 1758, and four years after under Gen. Bur- 
goyne, in Portugal, where he held a Colonelcy. In 1773 he came 
to America, and settled in Virginia. On the commencement of 
the revolution, in 1775, he was appointed Major-General, and re- 
paired with Gen. Washington to the army at Cambridge. He 
remained there till the following year, when he was despatched to 
New York, to defend it against the British, and discharged the 
duty with great promptness and energy. After this he com- 
manded the Southern forces for a while. In October, 1776 he 
rejoined the army under Washington, and was soon after captured 
by the British, and remained a prisoner in their hands, suffering 
the most severe treatment, till the spring of 1778, when he was 
exchanged. Soon after his release, he was engaged in the battle 
of Monmouth, and for his conduct and disobedience on that occa- 
sion was suspended from command. He died in Philadelphia, 
Oct. 2d, 1782. The memoirs of his life, with his essays and 
letters, were published in 1792, in one vol. 12 mo., and were re- 
printed in London. 

(33) Flip was a great winter drink iu New England at that 
period. It was made of rum, beer, eggs and sugar, spiced. 





iiii 

011 800 o-^-^ 






